travel

TRAVEL

May, 2013 Aventure Travel For Persons with Disabilies.

The following ran from March 2012 to March 2013

New Haven

Big Birthday for a Seattle Icon

Puerto Rico

Swiss International Air Lines

Israel and Zurich

Garden of Bliss in Giverny

Goa, India

April, 2013

ADVENTURE TRAVEL FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

AND SENIOR TRAVELERS

Nearly 11 percent of the world's population has one form of disability. Until recently, such individuals had to enjoy most physical activities vicariously, but thanks to the creativity and interest of people who care, nearly all disabled people can enjoy one or more physically recreational pursuits. Now they can experience the thrill of adventure and the sense of accomplishment that most people take for granted.

Michael and Silvia Hill always believed that all travelers wishing to experience Africa, should. After years of research, they created Endeavour Safaris to include private, tailor made trips as well as scheduled departure safaris and tours for travelers with special needs. Guests with varying disabilities can discover countries such as South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique and Zambia.

Desert & Delta Safaris owns and operates seven luxury safari Lodges in Botswana and Namibia together with Endeavour Safaris have adapted activities, rooms, vehicles and equipment for tourism for guests with disabilities.

Some of the special features that make this adventure feasible are vehicles equipped with a full range of operations that are well suited for the country and the area in which they operate. All the vehicles are equipped with hydraulic lifts and secure wheelchair lock down systems. Also, rooms that sleep two persons, a spacious timber and thatch chalet or luxury African safari-style tents which are raised on a teak platform and features an en suite bathroom and a private wooden viewing deck.

Dining areas serve individual plated and buffet-style food, with special dietary catering by prior arrangement. Besides breakfast, brunch and dinner high tea is served on the deck overlooking the grounds.

MALACHITE KINGFISHER PHOTO: TED STEDMAN

And of course the most important reason you have made the trip is to see the birdlife across Botswana which is unparalleled; its breeding herds of elephants that line the river by the thousands; while crocodiles bask in the sunshine and hippos lie submerged in the cool waters. add on to the mix antelopes, giraffes, buffalos, zebras, lions, and leopards. These are memories you will long remember.

There are also a variety of tours and safaris for Senior Travelers.

For more Information on line: for Desert & Delta: www.desertdelta.com or e-mail reservations@desertdelta.com. For more information on Endeavour Safaris, visit endeavour-safaris.com or email: info@endeavour-safaris.com

Reviewed Joyce Hauser

March 2012 - March 2013

NEW HAVEN

One of the picture perfect postcard towns in the United States is New Haven. Norman Rockwell would have felt right at home with his paints and easel here. With its tree-lined streets and old houses make this an extraordinary place to experience. Not only is it particularly pretty there are many things to see. There is no better place for a cultural experience than the quaint commercial districts, serene residential streets, the famous New Haven Green, and landmarks of American history are only a few of the highlights of a place that has given the world the hamburger, the lollipop, the corkscrew, and the world’s best pizza. Get to know the New Haven community and enjoy some of New Haven’s wonderful restaurants, shops, and galleries.

And of course Yale University has been a part of the New Haven community for three centuries. The latest exhibition at the Yale University Art Gallery is well worth the visit and children can be part of America’s history. Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness: American Art from the Yale University Art Gallery is an Exhibition Presented in Three Parts

We the People
July 29–December 31, 2011

Defining the Nation
January 31–April 8, 2012

America Rising
May 8–July 8, 2012

This exhibition draws upon the Gallery’s renowned collection of American art to illuminate the diverse and evolving American experience from the time of the settlements of the 17th century to the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893. The works in this exhibition—including treasures such as John Trumbull’s Declaration of Independence and Winslow Homer’s Morning Bell—return to New Haven for this three-part presentation.

The Yale University Art Gallery, is the oldest and one of the most important university art museums in America, in the final phase of a fourteen-year renovation and expansion that will transform the visitor’s experience of both the museum and its esteemed collections. The project will enable the Gallery not only to enhance its role as one of the nation’s most prominent teaching institutions but also to join the ranks of the country’s leading public art museums. The expanded Gallery will open December 12, 2012.

Besides the wonderful art exhibits the gift shop is perfect to leave with something special. The museum shop offers visitors a selection of books, cards, and posters that relate to the Center’s collections, as well as gifts from the United Kingdom.

Both a public art museum and a world-renowned research institute for the study of British art and culture, the Yale Center for British Art was presented to the University by Paul Mellon (Yale 1929). It houses the most comprehensive collection of British art outside the United Kingdom.

The collection of paintings, sculpture, prints, drawings, rare books, and manuscripts reflects the development of British art, life, and thought from the Elizabethan period onward. Works on view include masterpieces by John Constable, Benjamin West, Thomas Gainsborough, Joshua Reynolds, George Stubbs, and J.M.W. Turner, as well as major artists from Europe and America who lived and worked in Britain.

A valuable resource for faculty, students, teachers, and the public, the Center offers a year-round schedule of exhibitions and programs, including lectures, concerts, films, symposia, tours, teacher workshops, and more. The Center also houses a reference library, conservation laboratory, and study room for works on paper and rare books and manuscripts.

Opened in 1977, the Center is the last museum designed by the great American architect Louis Kahn. It stands across from Kahn's first major commission, the Yale University Art Gallery. The building's design, with its natural materials and skylit galleries, provides a magnificent environment for viewing art. Admission is free.

There is a varied selection of hotels and bed and breakfast so you have only to go on the web to find your choice. I stayed at The Omni Hotel a gem that as soon as you walk into the lobby the interior proclaims itself as something truly special. It has an irresistible blend of architectural perfection and distinctive artwork with the finest tradition of hospitality. Every guest is special. This luxury hotel stands out for excellence in all things. The Hotel is also known for their fine dining of French cuisine in their formal dining room.

The hotel is located in downtown New Haven, just steps from the historic campus of Yale University, the New Haven Town Green, a wide selection of museums, the Shubert Theater and boutique shopping. Enjoy breathtaking views from many of the guest rooms and from John Davenport's restaurant. The Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale is close to Union Station, home to Metro North and Amtrak Railway, and just fifty miles from Hartf

ord's Bradley International Airport.

John Davenport’s at the Top of the Park premier, 19th-floor restaurant welcomes you in an upscale atmosphere with spectacular roof top views. Specializing in creative New England cuisine. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 6am to 10pm.

New Haven is replete with art, architecture and history, with great shopping, a thriving nightlife and a program of festivals and events. It has this year 2012-13 won the distinction of being Arts & Leisure News Service favorite city in Connecticut. Walking along the bluestone sidewalks of the Chapel Street Historic District there is a plethora of one of a kind boutiques and shops, award winning restaurants, and world known museums and theaters.

One of the restaurants that is part of this distinction is the Heirloom Restaurant at 157 Chapel Street, located inside the Study at Yale Hotel on Chapel Street at the heart of Yale University Campus. Heirloom utilizes the heritage growers and neighboring artisan suppliers of Connecticut and New England for Chef Carey Savona’s Farm Coastal cooking. Savona is passsionate about seasonality, independently creative and didicated to local, heritage cuisine. He earned his kitchen stripes working alongside some of the most talented chefs and restaurateaurs in the Country. Savona has lived and cooked in San Francisco, Connecticut, South Florida, and in New York City.

I started my dinner at the Heirloon with Roasted Octopus with lots of Garlic, Chilies and lime, with Oregano Citronette. And for my main course I had what I consider to be the very best Carolina Soft Shell Crabs, which was ideally served crispy and perfect with lemon, fennel, tomato, spring greens and creole remoulade. It was a perfect place with a wonderful menu and Arts & Leisure News gives Heirloon five stars. *****

The Maine Sea Scallops looked good enough to eat but unfortunately I left just a little room for the wonderful desserts so I will have to return to Heirloom for another dinner. You can find more information about Heirloom on the web.

After dinner we walked to the Shubert Theater to see the Mark Morris Dance Group. Since its opening in 1914, the Shubert Theater has earned the title “Birthplace of the Nation's Greatest Hits” for the number of world and American premieres that debuted on its legendary stage. Situated just down the block from Yale University and the New Haven Green, the Shubert Theater is encompassed by alluring restaurants, including the Heirloom, cafes, shops and world-class museums. Operated by

CAPA, the not-for-profit Shubert Theater offers a variety performances for every taste and budget.

PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE, at the Shubert Box Office,
or call 203.562.5666 for information.

New Haven and its Department of Cultural Affairs is a leader in its support of cultural institutions . It has enabled supporting cultural institutions, individual artists, the creative industries and creative entrepreneurs, with grants to support, Project Storefronts, strategically shaping the social, physical and economic character of a neighborhood, town, city or region around arts and cultural activities.

Last year under their Pilot Program, four businesses tested their ideas at 71 Orange Street in downtown’s Ninth Square. These businesses succeeded in changing what had been a series of seven dark, empty retail spaces into lively, well-lit filled destinations both day and night.

Applications for new businesses are continuously being sought and reviewed. For more information on the web ProjectStorefront.asp or www.projectstorefrontsnewhaven.com or by calling 203-727-7280.

The International Festival of Arts and Entertainment taking place on the New Haven Green has a plethora of talent to add to the talent and accomplishment which will draw me back this wonderful city….New Haven.

Reviewed by Joyce Hauser

BIG BIRTHDAY FOR A SEATTLE ICON

Space Needle has reached a golden milestone and the partying has just begun.

Built for the city’s 1962 World’s Fair, the sleek and shiny Needle turned 50 on April 21. Now Seattle’s signature symbol, the centerpiece of events capitalizing on the fair’s 50th anniversary. Concerts, film and music festivals, and exhibits are scheduled through Oct. 21.

The Needle is celebrating with two special events. First the contest: Space Race 2012, more than 50,000 contestants have applied for a shot at a half-hour suborbital flight. The family-owned Needle is teaming up with Space Adventures, a private tourism company, for the giveaway, worth $110,000. The winner was announced May 9 with the flight’s date to be determined.

Another highlight is a new pavilion showcasing the art of celebrated glass sculptor and

Seattle resident Dale Chihuly. Opening May 21, Chihuly Garden and Glass will feature works from some of Chihuly’s most popular series and architectural installations.

Meanwhile, the Needle is bracing for an anticipated rise in visitors. The 605-foot-high Needle is Seattle’s top tourist magnet, drawing some 1.3 million visitors a year.

From the ground, the Needle looks like a flying saucer perched on a gargantuan tripod. From its observation deck, views of downtown, PugetSound and surrounding mountains are incomparable whether it’s sunny or – more likely – cloudy in our nation’s’ rain capital.

Arts & Leisure News Service also recommends dining in SkyCity, the Needle’s first-rate restaurant. The menu touts Pacific Northwest dishes, from beef short ribs to Dungeness crabs. All emphasize fresh, local ingredients and are prepared with flair. Don’t miss the Lunar Orbiter, a dessert blending ice cream and dry ice that appears ready to blast off from your table. It was first served during the 1962 World’s Fair and is still popular. Diners also are treated to delectable views as the restaurant slowly revolves with the added sensation of floating on air.

The Space Needle is open daily. General admission is $19; $12 children. For information, call (800) 937-9582; www.spaceneedle.com. For information about Dale Chihuly: www.chihulygardenandglass.com.

Reviewed by Victor Zak

PUERTO RICO

In this age of information overload and seemingly endless deadlines, quality “vacation time” seems to take a back seat to our busy life. Usually the excuse is that all great vacations are so far away. If that is your problem you can start packing because I just got back from an amazing seven days in Puerto Rico. I can’t understand why it took me so long to experience this delightful island. Few places can boast of such wonderful beaches, fine hotels, the rain forest, and wonderful cuisine. Imagine lying on a white sandy beach looking or swimming in beautiful blue water and sipping pina colada, made with cream of coconut, Puerto Rican rum and pineapple juice, and you don’t have to spend the whole day traveling to enjoy it.

Join me in the next few days as I take you on a trip to Puerto Rico and especially Old San Juan. Looking beyond the suntanned tourists enjoying the sunshine on the beaches, you’ll see a Caribbean countryside of small, colorful towns filled with people from different parts of the world—always ready with a smile and greeting. The Puerto Rican people are friendly and passionate about their country.

Wear comfortable shoes and get ready to marvel at this wonderful island with a combination of a historical legacy and its beautiful bustling life. In this report I will try to acquaint you with the area and suggestions of what to see, where to stay and what to eat.

The following hotels are recommended:

Verdanza Hotel is a superb location and contemporary chic in San Juan, Puerto Rico, a member of the Summit Hotels & Resorts collection of Preferred Hotel Groups. The Verdanza Hotel offers 222 guestrooms, including 60 rooms fronting on the pool area, and 9 guest suites. You can choose from three signature restaurants providing culinary menus. Take advantage of their new Wine & Tapas Bar, DiVino, featuring over 40 wine labels by the glass, tastings and Weekly wines.

Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club, Rio Grande is nestled in a two-mile sandy beach in the northern coast of the island of Puerto Rico. The resort is the first in the Caribbean to be awarded with the Signature Sanctuary certification by Audubon International. Stunning views of the beach and the El Yunque rainforest is a wonderful backdrop for their challenging golf course.

Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa, (A Wyndham Grand Resort) , is situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the El Yunque Caribbean National Forest in a lush hideaway on the “Isle of Enchantment”. With 500 acres of Flora & Fauna and a multitude of activities the Rio Mar has two championship golf courses (36 holes), tennis complex, Spa and comprehensive family programs. Created to pamper and impress.

Conrad at San Juan Condado Plaza is located on the Condado Strip overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Condado Lagoon and just five minutes to historic Old San Juan. It is located near museums, historic landmarks and a busy nightlife.

El Conquistador & Golden Door Spa was voted the top Caribbean Spa by readers of Caribbean Travel and Life and the Best Spa for treatments by Conde’ Nast Traveler. The Golden Door has 25 treatment rooms and a staff-to-guest ratio of 4-to-one. Their 6,662-yard golf course changes in elevation providing breathtaking vistas to add to elevate the game.

All five hotels are equipped to make your celebration entering into marriage a wondrous occasion.

More information on each of the hotels can be found on their Web Site.

Puerto Rican cuisine is eclectic and will satisfy the pickiest eaters. The coffee is considered by Europeans to be the best coffee in the world. Although food from the Island is prepared with a multiplicity of richly varied spices and condiments, Puerto Ricans tend to season their food more subtly than one might imagine.

Following are some suggested Restaurants:

Augusto’s Restaurant is recognized by Arts & Leisure News as The Best Restaurant in Puerto Rico. With its European flair Augusto’s fine cuisine and service has been recognized as the foremost white tablecloth restaurant on the Island. Let me share with you the menu that we indulged in: Starting with: Coral Cod Tartare with Avocado Mousse and Red Pepper Crocant, then Seared Boat Scallops with Turnip Puree and Chorizo Espuma, continuing our third course, Egg Toasted Potato Gnocchi and Thyme Pumpkin Sauce, and then our main course, Veal Osso Buco Lasagna with Black Truffle Emulsion. Wonderful coffee and Nougatine Souffle with Vanilla Ice-Cream ended the meal. Bravo to Chef Ariel Rodriguez an ambassador to the Puerto Rican Culinary industry.

Pikayo Restaurant

This is an ideal place to go for the next generation of Puerto Rican fusion cuisine. Pikayo not only keeps up with the latest culinary trends, but it also often sets them, thanks to the inspired guidance of owner and celebrity chef Wilo Benet. Formal but not stuffy, and winner of many culinary awards. It is the best Museum restaurant in Puerto Rico featuring a mixed cuisine.

Palio Restaurant

Indulge yourself with superior service and delicious cuisine in Palio’s Italian Restaurant. Combining an elegant setting with good food will leave you with an unforgettable dining experience.

The three restaurants need reservations.

Art flourishes with craft workers, musicians, composers, playwrights and painters, sculptors and actors in Puerto Rico. For one The Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico houses the finest collection of art in Puerto Rico, representing important schools of painting and sculpture for Europe and the Americas – including a sizable sample of works by Puerto Rican artists. Although many of Puerto Rico’s best accomplishments haves been in the folk arts, the arts has been expanded into many other areas, with today’s artisans producing a great variety of paintings, non-religious sculpture, jewelry and many collectibles and artifacts.

The Museo de Arte Puerto Rico opened its doors in the summer of 2000. The impressive stained-glass back window that runs the height of its five stories accentuates the contemporary design. The museum also constantly brings in exciting new exhibits that make for worthwhile repeat visits, whether it is avant-garde pieces or art from the pre-colonial era.

After enjoying the galleries, visitors might want to head outside into the sculpture gardens, accessible from the 2nd floor. This natural exhibit space boasts hundreds of thousands of plants, including 26 species of trees. Back inside the building, the 2nd floor is also the site of the ActivArte Gallery, a learning space for children with interactive activities such as a labyrinth, art puzzles, and informative computer programs. Their gift shop is excellent and it is a worthwhile look before you leave.

Puerto Rico is a beautiful island with its sandy beaches and brightly colored flowers. Delicious fruits and nuts hang from the trees and tiny little iguanas hop around the trees. The background has mountains that stretch across the island and the rain forest adds to the beauty of this island.

If you are interested in being part of this landscape you might be interested in the government’s implementation of its “Strategic Model for a New Economy.” Governor Luis G. Fortuno has signed into law two key bills that are designed to support increased investment in the Island’s tourism industry. According to the “Tourism Development Act of Puerto Rico” in order to facilitate new or upgraded tourism projects on the Island, the government of Puerto Rico has created a series of tax credits and exemptions for investors. For more information go to Puerto Rico’s Governor Luis Fortuno’s Web Site.

Reviewed by: Joyce Hauser

SWIISS INTERNATIONAL AIR LINES

AND ISRAEL AND ZURICH

The wonders of modern travel were confirmed when I boarded a Swiss International airplane at JFK in New York to Israel and Zurich. Even before my flight I was offered all that I could expect of this premium airline.

Arts and Leisure News Service joins in the accolades given to Swiss International being named “Europe’s Leading Airline Business Class’ in this year’s World Travel Awards. This distinction was based on the votes of more than 183,000 specialists from the travel and tourism sector all over the world.

While you’re waiting to board your plane the exclusive lounge facilities are specially designed with the travelers needs in mind. The spacious lounge offers European and intercontinental travelers comfortable seating in a special place with free Internet access, and wonderful facilities with massage beds and showers. Fresh fruit and a wide selection of hot and cold food are available. Whether you prefer a full course meal or a drink, tea or coffee you won’t want for anything.

On Board after a welcome drink (a glass of champagne, fresh orange juice or water) you can relax, sleep or work. You have the space and privacy you will need with spacious surfaces where you can work with your IPod and USB connections that are available. Your comfortable seat turns into a bed that reclines into a two-meter-long lie-flat air-cushioned bed. Your bed has an individually adjustable firmness/softness setting, and a special massage function.

Assortments of cocktails or wines are available with a 5-course meal created especially by Swiss International’s star chefs. I tried the kosher food plate on my return flight and I was more than pleased with my dinner catered by the Shalom Air Catering Service. Your entertainment system lets you choose from a movie, music or documentaries and you can rewind or pause the movie so you can fully enjoy your meal.

The Swiss International Air Line staff was par excellence. Personal attention and commitment to your comfort and relaxation is how I left the plane and know I will be flying Swiss International again.

JERUSALEM

As I stepped off the Swiss International plane I was immediately impressed with how grand and modern The Ben Gurion airport was. And with all the airport security my luggage was sent out quite fast. Ben Gurion Airport is the largest airport in Israel with more than 100 airlines flying from the airport and about nine million passengers traveling through it. This airport was a prophetic glance at the growth and development of this country and I knew this was going to be a special trip.

Location is one of the most important things to think about when determining how much time you have and how far the sites you want to see are. The Dan Hotel sits on the historic slopes of Mount Scopus overlooking the romantic skyline of Jerusalem and surrounded by the rolling hills of Judea. It is the most desirable location in Western Jerusalem. Overlooking the ancient walls of the Old City, the historical “David Citadel and Tower,” the Jaffa Gate and the city’s most holy sites and cultural attractions are just minutes walking distance from the hotel. The Dan Jerusalem is in the heart of three major western religions. The hotel houses more than 384 guest rooms and suites all offering the finest in facilities – from electronic safe and mini-bar, individually controlled air-conditioning and heating and computer and fax connections to spacious bathrooms (both bath and shower are separate) and complete guest amenities. The fitness center is considered the best in Jerusalem with its large, heated pool and a place to indulge in massages while overlooking the Old City. As they say “Come and Visit Jerusalem and make the Dan Jerusalem your Home Away from Home. The complimentary shuttle service offered by the hotel makes it easy for guests to get to all prime attractions. On the web for more information: htp//www.danhotels.com/jerusalemHotels/DanJerusalemHotel/

Jerusalem is not only rich in history and unique cultural heritage it is a fashionable and an internationally recognized city with bustling streets, enjoyable programs and atmospheric restaurants and cafes. It is an exciting and worthwhile place to visit. So put on your most comfortable walking shoes or sandals and take advantage of the sites and local markets throughout Jerusalem.

The Western Wall comes alive at night where it is magnificently illuminated. At the wall’s base, in a vast open plaza, you’ll see people lost in prayer. For a person of the Jewish faith, the Western Wall is an emotional look at the past. Up until 1967 it was called The Wailing Wall, for it is said that the wall wailed along with the Jews who over the centuries endured the obstacles to the return of their nation. The exposed wall (which is only a fraction of the actual wall) has seven tiers of huge stones, piled one atop the other, which has stood without cement for two thousand years.

The holiest site in the Christian Quarter is the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which is on Christian Quarter Road. This church, which was built on the site of Golgotha (the place where, according to the New Testament, Christ was crucified and buried), occupies a supreme place in the Christian world.

Before we left Jerusalem we visited the open market to buy some artifacts and souvinirs to bring home .

TEL AVIV

We checked into The Hotel Dan Panorama Hotel that rises above the winding streets of Israel’s wonderful beaches and near the central business district and picturesque Old Jaffa. Entertainment attractions, shops, art galleries and restaurants surround this privileged location. The David Inter-Continental has 559 guestrooms and suites, all of which boast a panoramic view of the dazzling Mediterranean, and all rooms are well fitted with modern amenities. Rooms are very spacious, very comfortable, and up-to-date. The hotel-heated swimming pool has a spacious sun terrace, where guests can bask in the sun and enjoy the view of the Sea. The business center at the Hotel Dan Panorama also provides a comprehensive range of business services. Rooms are luxuriously furnished and include Luxury Bath & Body Works bath products, plush bathrobes TV with movie channels, direct dial telephones, mini-bar, and private safe, tea/coffee making facilities, 24-hour room service and more. . A special note about the competent staff including all those working at the front desk and the concierge who makes your stay memorable by always being there to help you find your way throughout the city or any problems you might have. For more information:www.danhotels.com/TelAvivHotels/DanPanoramaTelAvivHotel/

Tel Aviv is unique with its Mediterranean coastlines, and historic port with a plethora of fashionable boutiques, beautiful people, hummus, falafel and the best cup of cappuccino. Israeli’s take their coffee and cafes very seriously. Tel Aviv means clean and assessable family beaches, delightful villages and cosmopolitan cities that never close. Its exhilarating and diverse environment provides an extraordinary degree of diversity. Whether you want a gentle stroll to sharpen your appetite for lunch or a challenging ramble through the commercial center with its museums and art scene, theaters and concerts there is much to do. Tel Aviv has countless fairs, bazaars and markets, and one in particular is the Carmel Market which specializing in fresh produce and low cost clothes. Step back in time in Tel Aviv’s history and Heritage from Roman to Victorian interweaved with twenty-first century attractions and entertainment. Tel Aviv has international recognition for its hip nightlife, exciting gastronomic culture and Bauhaus-influenced architecture. A holiday destination that offers so much. It has been designated a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO.

In the 70s I interviewed Prime Minister Golda Meir. She was the catalyst in my returning to Israel in 2012 to learn more about this country from a desert became a place where grapefruits and oranges grew on trees.

Tel Aviv, the first Hebrew city in modern times was founded in 1909 and was built on the sand dunes north of the ancient port city of Jaffa. Once it was described as a drab, gray city of concrete now you will encounter the largest collection of buildings whose architectural roots can be traced to the Bauhaus architecture of Germany. This architectural style is so prevalent in Tel Aviv that it almost seems as though it were a local style, but it is not.

If there is one thing that all Israeli’s agree on, it is food and nowhere is it more celebrated than Tel Aviv, which is not a kosher city. Even shellfish is widely available, although there’s not much in the way of swine meat. Tel Aviv is a truly an International city built and populated by immigrants from more than 100 countries so the cuisine gives you many choices. There is never a shortage of places to get a good quick meal. The Israeli Street Food consists of falafel (spiced chickpea fritter) sandwich that has at least four falafels and includes your choice of a number of fresh salads and condiments. Falafel sandwiches are available throughout Israel.

Safed's atmosphere, with the buildings of Jerusalem stone, its fascinating history and the Jewish Mysticism engulfs the surrounding landscapes. When Israel became an independent state, in 1949, an Artists Colony was established in the Old City of Safed. The need to establish a focal point – a place for artists to meet - artists who survived the holocaust found their new homeland here, as well as their homes and livelihood. Together they established an Artists Cooperative - the first in its kind in Israel. They used an ancient building in the heart of the Old City of Safed to serve as a permanent exhibition hall for their art works. This General Exhibition, operating as a permanent show for the last 45 years, is in the process of becoming a Museum of Safed Artists. At present there are about 55 artists, painters and sculptors, members of the Artists Colony - including new immigrants from what used to be the Soviet Union. The building next to the General Exhibition was renovated and it contains art workshops and galleries where art works are being displayed and offered for sale.

We had a wonderful kosher meal, the best in Tel Aviv, at the Meatos restaurant before we said good-bye to Israel. The Restaurant offers ingenious creations that meet the highest culinary standards. The fish and seafood are of excellent quality; as well as the meat, poultry vegetables and fruits are all well worth my recommendation.

ZURICH

If you have only one or two night’s stay in Zurich, I can suggest a good accommodation for convenience and location. The Radisson BLU Hotel is only a few feet away from the Zurich Airport and the train station, which runs quite frequently into the city. The Hotel also, offers a free shuttle service to the center of the city.

The Radisson Blu rooms are modern and comfortable with all the necessary amenities’. air conditioning with flat-screen TV and free coffee and tea. All rooms offer free Wi-Fi, and LCD TV and a laptop-size safe. The soundproof panorama windows provide spectacular views of the airport or the inside of the atrium and the 52-foot-high wine tower in the lobby has 4,000 bottles of wine and champagne.

http://www.radissonblu.com/hotel-zurichairport.com

We boarded the train and set out to sample Zurich. Since we only had one day in Zurich we walked fast and focused. Zurich’s rich historic section features cobblestone streets, a variety of small stores and restaurants and many of the city's most significant religious landmarks. It is a beautiful town with so many shops to visit and with hundreds of new bars, restaurants and clubsone one day was certainly not enough time to take it all in. Located on a picturesque river and lake this affluent, fashion-conscious place enjoys all the things that make Zurich a place I would like to return to.

Incidentally, Zurich is home to the world’s fourth-biggest stock exchange and is quite important in Switzerland’s financial world.

Reviewed by Joyce Hauser

Gardens of Bliss in Giverny

Claude Monet is renowned for a passion that forged a new style of painting in the late 1800s: capturing fleeting impressions of nature and light effects. He brought a similar inventiveness to gardening. His gardens in Giverny, a French village about 45 miles northwest of Paris, became his natural canvas and inspired some of his most celebrated artworks. Today, they are a shrine for some half-million annual visitors from around the world.

Going there is like stepping into one of his masterpieces come to life. Familiar hallmarks include a Japanese bridge and tranquil lily ponds. A 2 ½-acre field called Clos Normand features a Grand Allee, covered with nasturtiums and purple asters. Walls of flowers cram this area, including roses, irises, starlike dahlias, hollyhocks and giant sunflowers.

The gardens are in line with Monet’s plans while he and his family lived there from 1883 to his death in 1926 at age 86. But many changes have occurred since the site opened to the public in 1980. Now, more than 100,000 plants are produced each year and continually rotated. The result is a wonderland of colors and fragrances that change with seasons. Blue and mauve irises dominate in spring, yielding to red and pink roses and peonies in summer. Fall brings a final gasp of red, gold and orange splendor. The aim is to dazzle visitors and it sure does.

Monet’s home is a simple, two-story pink house restored to look like it did during his lifetime. On view are family photos, more than 200 Japanese prints and some original furniture. But don’t expect to see his paintings. A gallery is filled with mostly mediocre reproductions. Still, it captures Monet’s spirit and the flavor of his era.

You can savor it all in about two hours while dodging nonstop crowds. But there’s more to do here. Arts & Leisure News Service recommends an overnight stay. That allows time to explore the nooks and crannies of tidy Giverny village; stop at the Church of St. Radegonde, where Monet and family members are interred; and visit the Museum of Impressionism, which spotlights the origins of that art movement.

The village has several restaurants. Don’t miss Hotel Baudy, which once hosted Pierre Auguste Renoir, Paul Cezanne and Auguste Rodin. It serves simple, traditional French meals in richly atmospheric rooms. I stayed in La Musardiere, a charming 10-room hotel that started as a manor house in 1880. Continental breakfast is included and its restaurant offers lunch and dinner.

For your plans in 2012 The Museum of Claude Monet is open daily from April through October. For information: www.fondation-monet.com.fr/uk/ For information about Giverny: www.giverny.fr

Reviewed by Victor Zak

GOA, INDIA

With its palm fringed beaches, powdery white sand, and its placid Arabian Sea, Goa is India’s Riviera. Divided into north and south by Panaji, the capital city, Goa beckons with hedonistic delights.

OLD GOA

Settled by the Portuguese in the 17th century, Old Goa offers historical and cultural nourishment away from the non-cerebral indulgences that await at every turn. The outstanding monuments, all within walking distance, include the imposing Se or Cathedral of St Catherine of Alexandria, and the Basilica of Bom Jesus which houses the remains of St Francis Xavier the patron saint of Goa, whose body is said to have “survived” without ever having been embalmed. Two museums merit note: The Archeological Museum and The Museum of Christian Art, which until the 19th century was the Convent of Santa Monica. Both of these museums store innumerable Christian and Hindu relics. For those seeking even more intellectual stimulation, there are other churches and monuments to explore in Old Goa and its surrounds.

SOUTH GOA

Photo by Nanette Shaw

Amidst the markets and bustle created by young, and middle aged hippies who came to Goa in the ‘60s and never left, one can still find some secluded beaches and fine cuisine along the crescent shaped beaches of Patnem and Palolem, at the end of whose beach lies the peaceful Dreamcatcher Bungalows (www.dreamcatcher.in). Shacks after shack, line the beach with freshly caught seafood to lure diners. Among the local favorites you’ll find pomfret, red snapper, their version of tuna, and nearly lobster size prawns, all of which are grilled seaside to your liking. Step beyond the surrounding markets and thoroughfares, and you will discover enchanting homes with cows goats black boars roosters roaming.

NORTH GOA

While many of Goa’s towns are teaming with busy hippie markets, remnants of those seeking Nirvana, there are also some divine spots. This is Goa for Grown Ups. Chief among them in the town of Morjim is a secluded 12-room hideaway. While Sur La Mer (www.surlamergoa.com), is not as its name implies, right on the beach, it is a pleasant 5-minute walk along a rustic dirt path.

Perched around an expansive outdoor pool, white table cloth tables sprawl out onto the grass which in turn is flanked by archways each framing super large rooms decorated unique hand-picked antique furniture and rugs all fronting the Moorish minimalist commodes, dressing rooms and showers. This idyllic oasis is helmed by its dynamic chef/owner, Aneel Verman, affectionately called Raju.

Raju sets a convivial tone by welcoming and getting to know each guest, and more importantly, by holding court with his pretty wife, Nayan, every night at the outdoor bar. These ingratiating and well traveled hosts reflect the cosmopolitan atmosphere and joie de vivre which prevails at the resort.

Raju’s effervescence is only exceeded by his imaginative cuisine, a delicate fusion of French, Indian and Italian cuisine paired with the freshest vegetables. Among the standouts we savored was yellow fin tuna steak with wasabi and honey sauce, aubergine pasta, and Fish Brazilia flambeed in gin with tomoatoes, olives and spicy coconut. To please its international guests, menus are printed in English, French and Russian. Best of all, unlike any other dining establishment in India, Sur La Mer does not measure its drinks, pouring hefty size portions of top shelf liquor.

Meals are served in a most pleasant and courteous manner by waiters - butlers really - who address guests by name, and make sure restaurant orders are delivered promptly (quite an accomplishment in India) and exactly as requested - spiced or un-spiced, buttered or un-buttered, etc. Owner Raju’s main man, also called Raju, is an absolute sweetheart; a take charge gentleman whom we wish we could abduct back to the States with us. As if such tranquility and perfection could ever be transported any where else.

With all this going for it – seclusion, royal service – it is no wonder that Sur La Mer draws international celebrities. While we were there, there were multi-generational families from the former Soviet Union, the UK, the US, France, and Italy, along with a celeb or two.

Photo by Nanette Shaw

Another draw to Morjim is La Plage, directly down the dirt path from Sur La Mer on Asvem Beach. Started by three French buddies in 2003 this adorable French brasserie on sand and shaded by palms, serves surprisingly delectable French fare. And perched seaside in Vagator, a half hour away, Thalassa lies ensconced on top of the cliff. Not only is it THE place to watch the sun set over the sea, but it is also THE happening place for fresh Greek seafood and outrageous cocktails.

An unforgettable trip to Goa would not be complete without a sojourn in Morjim and its surroundings.

Reviewed by Nanette Shaw

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